A cogent argument is one that really drives its point home because it is clear, coherent, and readily understandable, and perhaps also because of the etymological history of cogent. Cogent comes from the Latin verb cogere, meaning “to drive or force together.” Something described as cogent fuses thoughts and ideas into a meaningful whole that others can readily grasp and accept. A cogent explanation is a convincing one, and cogent analysis has us nodding along because it is clear and pertinent. Cogere was formed in Latin by combining the prefix co- with the verb agere, “to drive, lead, or act,” a root which is also the source of our familiar noun agent. Handily enough, one definition of agent is “a means or instrument by which a guiding intelligence achieves a result.” It follows logically then that cogency is often a worthwhile agent, indeed.
valid implies being supported by objective truth or generally accepted authority.
a valid reason for being absent
a valid marriage
sound implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds.
a sound proposal for reviving the economy
cogent may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of presentation.
the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury
convincing suggests a power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept.
a convincing argument for welfare reform
telling stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a matter.
a telling example of bureaucratic waste
Examples of cogent in a Sentence
… Honeyboy Edwards provides a cogent analysis of the shift within the blues over the years …—David Hajdu, Mother Jones, September/October 2003Your article provides cogent reading.—Mario Cuomo, letterU.S. News & World Report, 23 Mar. 1992Your arguments, whether or not one agrees with them, are generally cogent, and at times elegantly expressed.—Willard R. Espy, letterWall Street Journal, 24 Apr. 1990The author … makes a cogent and finely nuanced case for the wisdom—indeed, the necessity of this vision.—Marian Sandmaier, New York Times Book Review, 8 Feb. 1987
the results of the DNA fingerprinting were the most cogent evidence for acquittal
Recent Examples on the WebThe good news is our judicial system ran a cogent and fair trial in New York.—Douglas Brinkley, CBS News, 2 June 2024 This cogent link between photography and writing presents pages from the book (published in 1993 as Journal du Dehors) alongside myriad works that are not limited by time or place, with Gary Winogrand, Daido Moriyama, Bernard Pierre Wolff, Marie-Paule Nègre and William Klein among the mix.—Amy Verner, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2024 Now Butler returns with a cogent and deeply thoughtful case against the right’s attempts to limit ideas of gender to male and female, offering philosophical and historical evidence to support a fluid system in which all people might present authentically.—Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 His sense of egalitarianism is testament to his cogent understanding of functions in a team – not everyone can be a sharpshooter, yet roles like cooks and mechanics are equally indispensable in the mechanics of overall mission success.—Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cogent
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cogent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin cōgent-, cōgens, present participle of cōgere "to drive together, gather, compress, force, compel," from co-, variant before a vowel and h of com-com- + agere "to drive (cattle), be in motion, do" — more at agent
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